Program Overview
Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years. It continues to evolve and improve to this day. MRI studies have shown how quickly the stimulus from an acupuncture needle can travel to the brain. When it comes to pain relief, the effects can arrive almost instantaneously. Pursuing this fast response is what characterizes the Balance Method from traditional acupuncture. When correctly and strategically placed, the body’s response is immediate, within minutes or even seconds of treatment.
Major Topics
In this course, veterinarians will learn how to use energetic distal points to obtain immediate results. Balance Method Acupuncture requires knowledge of advanced TCVM concepts and systems, including:
- Shu Points or Command Points, also known as Antique Points
- Correspondence of the 12 Joints
- Global Balance and Imaging & Mirror concepts
- Trigrams & Hexagrams
- 5 Elements Theory and Seasonal Balance
Program Goals
Immediately and effectively treat all localized symptoms such as pain, numbness, stiffness, tingling or burning sensations, etc. using Three-Step Strategy
Understand the 6 systems of balancing for external and internal disorders
Learn how to Balance for Internal Disorders such as genitourinary, gastrointestinal, endocrine, 5 sense organs, and more using Ba Gua, hexagram Meridian Conversion
Learn to balance the whole meridian or several meridians simultaneously with only 4, 8, 9, or 12 needles
Veterinary Balance Method Acupuncture Certification Track
Taught in English
For veterinarians & veterinary students only
109 RACE approved CE hours
Prerequisites
Prerequisites
Students wishing to enroll in the Balance Method course must have basic knowledge of TCVM, and must fulfill ONE of the following two requirements:
- Completion of at least ONE session of veterinary acupuncture at Chi or another accredited institution
- Completion of the TCVM Fundamental Theories lecture series online module
Curriculum
Session 1
Introduction to Balance Method I - IV
4h
Breaking Down Yin Yang
1h
From WuJi to TaiJi in Balance Method
1h
The Six Levels
1h
Drawing Ba Gua
1h
Drawing Fu Xi and Wen Wang
1h
Developing the 6 Systems
1h
The Holographic Concept Mirror and Image
1h
System 1
1h
Developing System 1
1h
Creating System 2
1h
Finishing System 2
1h
Developing System 3
1h
Conclusion of System 3
1h
Developing of System 4
1h
System 5 and 6
1h
Drawing the Matrix of 6 Systems
1h
Cases Using the Matrix I & II
2h
Case Discussions with Matrix
1h
Canine Acupoints Demo for Balance Method
3h
Equine Acupoints Demo for Balance Method
3h
The 5 Command Points
2h
Diagnosis by Acupuncture Ways
1h
Diagnosis Final
1h
Scalp Acupuncture
1h
Session 2
Review of the Balance Method Systems
2h
Review of the Meridians and The Shu-Transportation Distal Acupuncture Points
2h
Lab: Balance Method Distal Acupoint Locations
4h
Lab: Case Exam, Diagnosis, Discussion, and Treatment
12h
Session 3
Introduction & Review
2h
Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture
1h
Tail Acupuncture
1h
Clinical Cases Using Balance Method
1h
Introduction to Global Balance I & II
2h
Skin Conditions
1h
Taiyin/Yangming Pattern
1h
Approaching the Five Sense Organs
1h
Ear Issues and Five Senses
1h
Nose and Mouth Issues
1h
Abdominal Issues
1h
Digestive Disorders
1h
8 + 1 Exceptional points for Digestive Disorders
1h
Meridian Conversion Patterns
2h
Balance Method for Seasonal and Five Elements
2h
Hormonal and Reproductive Disorders
1h
Balancing Back or Posterior Issues
2h
Summary for Frontal, Sides and Back Issues
1h
The 12 Exceptional Points & Development
2h
Small Animal 12 Exceptional Points and Combinations
1h
Small Animal Case Discussions
1h
The Use of the 8 Extraordinary Meridians
1h
Seasonal Balance Method
1h
Hexagrams and Seasonal Balance
1h
Choosing the Correct Hexagram for a Given Time
1h
How to Choose Points According to Seasonal Balance
1h
Seasonal Balance Examples
1h
Conclusion of Seasonal Balance
1h
Introduction to Balance Method Use of the 5 Elements
1h
The Use of the 5 Elements Balance Method in Excess or Deficiency
1h
Balance Method Use of the 5 Elements Final
1h
Session 4
Final Review of Fundamental Principles of Balance Method
8h
Lab: Canine Cases using Balance Method
6h
Labs: Equine Cases using Balance Method
6h
Certification
CVBMA Certification
Students have the option to receive a certification as the Certified Veterinary Balance Method Acupuncturist. The certification is approved by Chi University and the World Association of TCVM (WATCVM). The requirements to obtain certification are as follows:
Be a veterinarian
Complete Sessions 1-4 of the certification track
Complete the 2 review quizzes with a score above 75%
Complete the final practical exam and written exam each with a score above 75%
Instructors
Antonio A. Alfaro A.
DVM, MSc, CVA, MSTCVM, CS & ELBMP
Dr. Alfaro received his DVM from Federal University of Parana in Brazil in 1975 and, in 1979, his Master of Science from the University of Minnesota with a focus on large animal surgery, radiology, and anesthesiology. In 2006, Dr. Alfaro became certified in veterinary acupuncture through Chi University, going on to obtain certifications in Veterinary Food Therapy (2005), Tui-na (2011), and Chinese Herbal Medicine (2017), followed by a Master of Science in TCVM (2018). During this time, he studied under Dr. Richard Teh-Fu Tan, achieving Silver Level Certification in Balance Method Acupuncture followed by Executive Level Balance Method Practitioner Certification from The Academy of Acupuncture Balance Method in 2018. Dr. Alfaro retired as Professor of Equine Surgery at National University, Costa Rica in 2005. He continues to lecture in Costa Rica and abroad.
Alicia López Bermúdez
DVM, CVA, CVBMA, CCRV
Dr. Alicia López Bermúdez graduated from Veterinary School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica in 2005. She completed Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist from Escuela de Cirugía Veterinaria San Francisco de Asís, Universidad Veritas, San José, Costa Rica in 2006. She earned her Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) and Certified Veterinary Balance Method Acupuncturist (CVBMA) from Latin Chi Institute of Chinese Veterinary Medicine in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Since 2005, she is the Co-founder of the Centro Médico Veterinario para el Diagnóstico por Imágenes y la Terapia Complementaria, San José, Costa Rica, which is the first center for the TCVM practice in Costa Rica.
Enrollment Options
Semester
2024
Schedule & Tuition
TCVM Fundamental Theories
Online
Open enrollment in 2024
$100.00
Session 1
Online
Feb 1 - Jun 6, 2024
$900.00
Session 2
On-site in San José, Costa Rica
Jun 7 - Jun 9, 2024
$1,150.00
Session 3
Online
Jun 10 - Sep 4, 2024
$900.00
Session 4
On-site in San José, Costa Rica
Sep 5 - Sep 8, 2024
$1,150.00
Payment Information
A $150.00 non-refundable course deposit is charged upon enrollment to reserve your seat.
Payment is due 60 days before the start date of each session or course.
Add-ons
CVBMA Certification
$350.00